Marietta and Metro Atlanta Divorce and Family Law Blog

Cut Your Legal Fees in Half

Posted by Diane Cherry, Managing Partner | Feb 18, 2022

Cutting Attorney's Fees in Georgia Divorces
Cutting Legal Fees in Georgia Divorces

Lawyers aren't cheap.  But you don't need to spend a fortune for good representation.

You can minimize your legal fees if you do the following:

1.  Set Clear and Realistic Goals. If you've travel 3 weeks out of each month and have never been the primary caregiver of the children, your chances of getting primary physical custody and somewhere between slim and none unless you have a recording of your spouse threatening to kill the child or he or she is a drug user or child molester.  If you've only been married for five years, you aren't a strong candidate for alimony.  Don't waste your money and your time pursuing unattainable goals. Figure out what you want and stick to goals that within the realm of reason.

2. Get Information & Documents to Your Lawyer When Requested. Every communication you have with your lawyer or anyone from your lawyer's office costs money. If they ask you for information or documents, it's because they need it.  Don't make them ask twice, or repeatedly have to follow up with you unless you enjoy throwing money away.  If documents are requested and have to be produced to opposing counsel, deliver two sets of the documents to your lawyer's office so they don't have to make the copies and charge you for that.

3. Compile Your Questions. You should never hesitate to ask your lawyer anything and everything that concerns you.  However, if is less costly and more efficient for you to compile a list of questions that you can review with your lawyer in a single meeting or telephone conference then to shoot an email to your lawyer every time a thought pops into your head.

4. Don't Ask Your Lawyer to Teach You to be a Lawyer. When most people need a plumber, they don't expect the plumber to teach them everything they know about plumb.  When your computer geek fixes your computer, you don't expect them to teach you how computers work.  So why would you expect a lawyer to give you a law school education during your divorce?  No matter how much time your lawyer spends on your case, you will never have the same understanding of the courts, judges and legal process that your lawyer does.  Get the facts and details you need to understand the legal process and leave the rest to your lawyer.

5.  Be a Good Team Player. Your lawyer has an important role in preparing your case and you have an equally important role.  You have to take responsibility for keeping good records, providing your lawyer with accurate and detailed information and keeping your lawyer informed of every new development or event that could potentially impact your case-whether good or bad.  Allowing your lawyer to be surprised with damaging evidence at trial will only hurt your case in the long run.  Make sure your lawyer is well informed and up to date.  It doesn't take much to keep your legal fees under control.  At little bit of extra effort on your part can mean save you thousands of dollars in legal fees.

For more information, contact our experienced Georgia family law attorneys.

About the Author

Diane Cherry, Managing Partner

I am an Atlanta area Family Law Attorney who has represented hundreds of clients in federal and state courts and administrative hearing cases throughout the State of Georgia.

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